WING George North has challenged Wales to stay in top gear in Paris on Saturday after being motivated by the hurt of a Murrayfield mauling against Ireland.

Rob Howley's men produced a huge performance to win a brutal, tense Test at Principality Stadium 22-9 taking the spoils thanks to a brace by North, a huge defensive effort and a late clincher by Jamie Roberts.

Their display contrasted starkly to the second half capitulation against Scotland that ended their hopes of having a title tilt on final weekend.

Now North wants Wales to finish in style when travelling to face a France side that enjoyed a bonus point win in Rome on Saturday.

"It was a hell of a Test match," said North. "The speed and physicality was one of traditional Wales and Ireland clashes.

"The first 20 minutes showed the intent of both teams - it was very quick and very physical. I think the way we played showed what we can do. We went up a gear."

He continued: "It is just more gutting the fact that we know we can play a lot better than we had been doing. Unfortunately, we let the England Test go, and obviously the Scotland game was very disappointing.

"I think we showed what it meant to all of us to go out and really want to put it right.

"It was the hurt. The fact we knew we are much better than we have been, and the fact results didn't go our way.

"The quality of players we have in our squad is amazing, and against Scotland we didn't fire on all cylinders, which really cost us a lot. It's been hard.

"We came out with a point to prove that we are a good team, and that first 20 minutes teed it up to be the great Test match that it was."

The Northampton winger was back to his devastating best against the Irish a fortnight after one of his poorest personal displays in a red jersey.

Defence coach Shaun Edwards said North had been given a warning after failing to have any impact in attack and being exposed in defence in Edinburgh.

And the powerhouse was at his Lions best against the Irish with the ESPN stats having him down for 102 metres with ball in hand from 12 runs with five clean breaks.

"You always want to go out and play your best in every game you can, and it was frustrating getting a dead leg in the first three minutes of the Italy game, then missing the England game," said North.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform in the Scotland game, and I didn't get going at all.

"It was disappointing, and I was just thankful to get a chance (against Ireland) to put it right and get back into some form.

"For me, I am just happy to be back playing with a bit of confidence and a bit of form now, and hopefully we can carry it forward into France, individually and as a team."